This is probably the worst of the Etrian Odyssey series. Some may think it is hard, but overall it's pretty easy to beat. The only really hard parts are cheap tricks that the game tosses at you. For example, there was one dungeon where I spent hours trying to find the exit. They use a visual and mental trick so that you are searching at a different spot then where it is. Other tricks are putting unescapable enemies right at the end of the level you are on, which doesn't make it so much as hard as much as poor level design. Other than that it is very similar to the first Etrian Odyssey except we've been there and done that. The level design itself doesn't really feel all that innovative, and in some ways is even more boring than the first one. Unlike the third or fourth one where new elements were introduced (such as the ocean in III or the sky and mini dungeons in IV) this Etrian Odyssey really is just a trip down five stratums (or 6 if you go that far) like the original, but with less original dungeon design.
They've put together what should have been better creature combinations. It is smarter than the original in that light, but there are certain character combinations which are far more broken than any other Etrian Odyssey prior to this. In part, it is once you figure out these character combinations that the game becomes a piece of cake. If you don't optimize, it may be harder (I optimized, so I don't know exactly).
The biggest aggravation are the cheap tricks (such as the surprise enemy ambushes which are unavoidable on some levels, which may kill you on the first time you encounter them, but after that you can basically walk over them as you know they are coming).
The game itself took me around 2 hours per level, so expect to play around 50-60 hours if you are like me. At the end of each stratum expect to fight a large boss, of only which the second stratum offered me a pretty large challenge and killed me the first go around (otherwise, it's the surprise encounters that took me out far more than the bosses). The bosses are typically a little harder the the FOEs that wander around the levels, so if you can take them out (which you should be able to do easily by the end of each stratum) you should be able to take out the bosses. Taking out most of the bosses require you to bind them (but there is an overpowered union skill which basically lets you do this easily) and from there on out, are kind of boring encounters as well.
Overall, I just couldn't get over the boredom I felt as I played the game. I wanted to love it (As other reviewers obviously have) but I just couldn't get into it. The levels just did not inspire me like some of the other games unless it was an occasional annoyance.
I think a lot of it was, as I said, because even on the harder difficulty (and there is only two) it was pretty easy and wasn't really all that exciting for me. I think it may not be that way for everyone (I've played every EO that's come out in the US, so part of it could also be experience in what to expect). If this is your first EO it may be absolutely brutal on the player. I'd probably suggest the first one (or try Etrian Odyssey Untold which is a remake for the first one for the 3ds and has a storyline tossed in on top of the original dungeons) before this one. The enemies won't be quite as optimized to take advantage of each one's strength, and I found the level design on those far more interesting than this.
The story is probably about as strong as the first Etrian Odyssey, and as much depth. It doesn't have as much depth as some of the more recent EO's in regards to it's story or mystery of the dungeon. Things don't really even start to pick up in regards to any story line until the third Stratum. However, many players are playing EO V not for the story, but for a roguelike type dungeon. I did find the ending portion of the storyline pretty interesting. I think it's slower at the start, but more interesting overall than what you found in any of the EO's at the end of it (except of course, the Untold Storylines). I'll not post big spoilers, but a minor spoiler on it. The story incorporates a sort of sci-fi type storyline near the end, which expands upon the entirety of the EO universe to this point.
New innovations in this EO would be as follows.
A little character customization, more so than those that came before. You have different races which each can choose from two classes. Later on, you'll be able to access what they call a master skill list at which point each class branches into a choice of two master classes each (so each race ultimately has 4 classes to choose from). In addition, each race has racial skills which you can select. Many of the racial skills only require one skill point, though we are back to having 10 point class skills in general. You also have the union skills, where characters can combine to do powerful attacks or other abilities.
You have food which you can gather in the labyrinth which are non-consumable outside of battle. There are various points around the dungeon that you can start fires and cook food. As the game progresses you can occasionally find various recipes to cook different sorts of recipes. This is also another area which makes the game easier as food is abundant and when you are outside of battle you can use it to regenerate health and TP regularly.
I was looking forward to this game in a massive way, and though it was fun at some parts, the best description for me that I could give it was that it was sort of boring, which means a slight disappointment for me.
It is okay for those who enjoy the Etrian Odyssey series in general, and they may find fun with it. It does consume more time than some other games (as I said, if you are like me it will take you around 50-60 hours) but overall, I just never felt the enthusiasm or excitement that I felt when I played the other EO that have come previously.
Frequently bought together
$54.97
Get it as soon as Thursday, Nov 30
In Stock
Nintendo 3DS
+
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
Videos for this product
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Reviews with images
Submit a report
A few common reasons customers report reviews:
- Harassment, profanity
- Spam, advertisement, promotions
- Given in exchange for cash, discounts
When we get your report, we'll check if the review meets our Community guidelines. If it doesn't, we'll remove it.
Sorry, there was an error
Please try again later.Top reviews from other countries
ConsciousConsumer
Fun exploring new lands, battling beasts and drawing detailed maps.
Reviewed in Canada on June 23, 2018
